The "Lucky" One

It's interesting.. over the past few months I have had so many people comment about how "lucky" Paige is to be with me. "She's such a lucky girl... Wow, she is so lucky to be with you."
And every time, I kind of sheepishly brush the comment off with a "she's a great girl." As I have thought about this lately, I know why these comments have been so awkward for me. First of all, I would not use the term lucky. Lucky seems to imply that it has all been chance that our lives have been woven together in such a way. I mean really is it at all possible that our two lives could come together in this crazy world of ours without a guiding hand? So, rather than lucky I would rather say blessed!
And what's more.. to say that Paige is the lucky one, totally ignores the crucial truth that it is I who have been richly blessed by her. Perhaps even more than she by me!
Through the eyes of Paige, I am learning to slow down and really look at the world around me. God has used her to move me to clean out the cobwebby (hmmm.. not really a word, but you get the point) parts of my heart. No, the cleaning has not been entirely fun, but wow a clean house gives you a whole new perspective on the world. She has taught me the true value of relationships. Before Paige I often talked about the need for community... for a "counsel of the godly" to speak truth into my life. Since Paige has come into my life, the idea of community is no longer a grand ideal, but a daily necessity.
You know, I think that when I entered the world of foster parenting on some level I knew that the experience would change me (although I really did not know in what ways), what I did not realize is the way that Paige's life would touch so many other people. The list is profound. My parents for one, I mean some would balk at the idea of becoming instant Grandparents, and for sure it wasn't something that they always knew what to do with, but they have allowed Paige to totally invade their hearts. They proudly declare that they are now Grandparents, and love that they are affectionately called Grandma and Grandpa. Our dear friends Dustin, Misty,and Meg have embraced Paige and I as part of the family, and have shown deep love even when that meant having to come around a hurting heart. My friend Shelby, has developed a beautiful friendship with Paige that has spoken through the brokenness and has been a reminder of the power of consistency in the life of a hurt child. Through Paige her teacher and the principal at her school have had the awesome privilege to look beyond behaviors and have seen the reality of strengths coming in spite of pain.
It is not an understatement at all to say that through Paige hearts have had the chance to heal. I have no doubt that the life of Paige has touched so many people, and for that I think we can say that we are blessed. So, yes I would agree that Paige is blessed to come into this amazing community, but it just doesn't stop there and THAT is what is truly amazing!
Blessings to you,
Krys